Thursday, August 28, 2014

Wedding Woes

It's been a while since I've visited this lil ole blog with any intention of really blogging. But when you're planning a wedding in 8 weeks (T-Minus 51 days) the only thing your brain has floating around inside are wedding thoughts instead of blogging/work/life/anything else kind of thoughts. I don't want this space to turn in to some kind of wedding only posts but like I said, lately that's all I think about.

But I guess since I'm thinking about it, I may as well write about it, right? Firstly, we're considering letting a friend who is an amateur photographer take our pictures. Part of me really wants to do this because (1) experience is hard to come by, and I would love to provide this kind of opportunity for our friend; and (2) it will save a lot of money. Part of me is feeling a little cautious about it because she's only ever done pictures for ONE wedding before. We're most likely just going to go for it but it doesn't help that I'm a little nervous about it.

I need opinions on how "tactful" it is to ask for gift cards in lieu of actual gifts off of a registry. I know there are going to be some people who whine a little about it, because it won't be "traditional" and all that, but I am just really lazy and I don't feel like actually registering. But at the same time I hate being tacky and I feel like (essentially) asking for money is tacky.

I've also started a wedding planning checklist, just to keep myself accountable and also update you weirdos that enjoy watching people go crazy plan things like weddings.

Set a date October 18, 2014!

Book a venue

Book a caterer we have met and spoke with her, but are still working on finalizing the menu

Hire entertainment

Take engagement pictures

Buy a dress

Come up with an outfit for Derek (he is insisting on jeans but I like this or even this)

Okay so I thought I had a lot done but after looking, there is still SO MUCH to do! Not to mention all the other things going on in my life right now. But at the end of the day, all that really matters it that I'll be married to an amazing guy (hashtag sappy post).

28 comments:

My tips on registering? Do it online and keep it minimal if you want! Jared wasn't up spending hours in stores scanning items, so one night we just got on BBB's website, and picked everything out that way. Super easy and convenient. Then if people INSIST on buying a gift, they have a few options- but you don't have to make it a huge registry either- thus you'll probably receive a good amount of cash/gift cards :)

LOVE both the looks for your bridesmaids and Derek. Casual, yet still wedding-y.

Also- we had a registry on Amazon- which is amazing. Because you can add things to the registry from ANY other site. And I agree with Erin- register for a few things...and then hopefully people will just give you cash/gift cards.

I think some stores let you register for gift cards... orrrr, there's a few websites that you can register at where people just put money towards your honey moon! I just tweeted you, but it still crazy to me that we're getting married on the same day!!

How important are the pictures to you? I would be cautious about using a friend as your photographer unless they were very experienced with doing weddings. Weddings are so so so different than doing portraits and such. There's so much going on at the time, so many people, so many details that it takes someone who knows what they're doing. My sister more or less had a shotgun wedding and we used a family friend as the photography. The pictures weren't that great and there were several important ones that weren't even taken. Because of that, we went with a pretty expensive but experienced photographer for my wedding and had great pictures, but there were still some important ones that weren't taken due to there being so much going on at the wedding. If the pictures are super important to you, I think it's better to go with a professional.

Until I got down to your do-do list I was like "OH, she's doing so good! I'm so impressed!" and then I got a little stressed for you. BUT I think you'll be fine! You seem like a very laid-back bride, hah! Also, maybe you've said it and I missed it? But what made you guys decide to get married in 60 some days? My friend just got engaged and they've set the date for the first week of November and she's getting a lot of flack for it, so I just wondered!

I can't even imagine planning a wedding in that short of time, but it looks like you're on the right track!

I'd register for a handful of items (like place settings, silverware, ect) and then on your website make a disclaimer that you aren't sure what will be needed once you move in together (or something along those lines) so you'd prefer gift cards.

We just got married in June, so my wedding is still fresh in my mind. #1. Book a professional photographer. Especially if photos are a big deal to you. I understand wanting to give her experience, but you could be really disappointed and this is the one time you can't redo them. Just keep that in mind. #2. I think you could mention something in your invitation suite about how you don't have a registry. I'm sure you can Google it and find the "proper" way to state that you want money instead of gifts. #3. A big kudos to you for getting married in 8 weeks. I can't even imagine (we were engaged for 22 months), so CONGRATS!

We phrased the registry, "Drew and Kaitlin have a very small registry at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Monetary gifts are also appreciated, as young couples just starting out can always use them." We got close to $2,500 and some really special personalized gifts

Also--I would highly advise against using that photographer. Some areas of the wedding aren't worth saving a buck on, and photos are one of them. I deeply regret our photography decision being made based on affordability and not quality and experience, and now I'm really unhappy with our pictures. Plus working with friends too much is really hard on weddings. My mom used friends for everything and her whole wedding was ruined by people just not doing what they were expected!

We have both lived on our own for years so we didn't have much to register for either so we went with a honeymoon registry! You can set it for specific activities or just "contributions" to help pay for it! We've had a lot of people tell us they loved this idea.

We're getting married that same day! So I know exactly what you're going through right now! It's pretty much nothing but wedding thoughts in this brain of mine 24/7. As far as asking for gift cards instead of actual gifts, I don't see anything wrong with it. We registered at one store and there aren't that many items on the list. We've lived together for a year and don't have a need for most things that you'd register for, so I've asked for creative/personal gifts or, plain and simple, money for when we do need/want something somewhere down the road.